Rogue Engineering E36 Strut Brace (Race Brace)

Note: Will not fit 4 cylinder model E36s

What does a strut brace (aka stress bar or strut bar) do?
The concept of a strut bar is intended on reducing the flex between the front strut towers during hard cornering loads. By reducing this flex, it allows suspension points to remain undisturbed, allowing for the suspension to do its job properly. This often gives the drive a feeling of increased stability and improved turning response, when in reality, the suspension is reacting as designed.

Who can benefit from a strut bar?
For those that may believe a strut bar is only for "track cars" or "racecars", it is also street driven vehicles that benefit from a properly engineered strut tower bar. Whereas anyone can appreciate the ability for a front suspension to remain constant at all times, other benefits include support of the factory strut towers from "mushrooming". These generally occurs if the vehicle hits large potholes, causing the suspension to compress completely, and then damaging the rim. However, its not only the rim that takes the hit, but the shock tower as well. Over time, if left unprotected, it can cause expensive sheet metal damage.

What about a rear bar?
Since the rear suspension points do not see the same kinds of forces during hard corner (when compared to the front), a rear bar is typically unnecessary in a street application. A rear bar also tends to intrude into valuable trunk space inhibiting the full use of the cargo space. Additionally, for those with extensive stereo modifications (such as a sub-box), a rear bar tends to get in the way. Those companies that offer a rear bar typically do so to offer a visual compliment to the front bar.

What to look for in a strut tower brace?
When looking at a strut tower brace to give you the most benefit, it should have the following features:

• Sufficient protection of the strut tower top (to prevent "mushrooming")
• No pivots or heim-style joints to allow the bar to flex or bend, but adjustable, to allow for intention suspension changes.
  • Center bar with minimal bends or kinks (straighter is stiffer!)
  • Provide adequate underhood clearance (so not to dimple the hood)
  • Allow for suspension changes (for those that frequent the track)
  • Made from the best materials available (for lightweight, coefficient of thermal expansion)

  Even BMW applied many of these traits to their own strut tower braces when they offered them. For the E36 and E46 models, both used cast aluminum strut tower plates and matched them to tubular steel center bars.

  Thermodynamics: Damn, I should have paid attention in that class!
  Don't worry, you won't be tested on this subject, however it is relevant when talking about the best materials of creating the best strut tower brace. There is a CTE (Coefficient of Thermal Expansion) for most every material so the key is to use materials that have the LEAST amount of effect when the heat increases (such as in the area of an engine compartment).

RACEBRACE Features and Benefits

• Lightweight tubular steel bars are 100% TIG welded to high strength steel plates and powdercoated black for a durable finish. While aluminum may be marginally lighter, steel is used for its superior Coefficients of Thermal Expansion over aluminum or magnesium alloy.
• The RACEBRACE's one-piece design offers the strongest possible connection from each strut tower. Its one piece welded construction resists bending and flexing moments that hinged, flat bars simply cannot compare. While there may be others offering one-piece bars, we engineer our bars to support along the stress of the load path as closely as possible, not just "connecting" the two towers together.
• Includes six (6) replacement stainless nuts
• The multiple bar configuration, with center support bars, resist twisting and bending of the front chassis. Although it does not bolt to the firewall, the bar's multiple tubes resist bending and twisting in multiple planes (when compared to strut braces' that use only flat bars).
• Open tower design allows for easy access to adjustable camber plates and shock adjustments.
• Designed to offer adequate clearance over the engine components as well as underhood clearance.
• Strut tower offers full 360° support, completely covering the strut tower area. This can prevent costly sheet metal damage "mushrooming" from potholes, especially with lowered cars.
• Removal of the strut brace takes only minutes with simple hand tools. Adjustments to suspension camber/caster plates can be made without removal of the bar.

Model Notes, Installation Notes & FAQ (READ CAREFULLY!)

• E36 Models
  • Make sure you have adequate camber plate/strut mount stud exposure.
  • Installation of the factory STRUT TOWER REINFORCEMENT PLATES are highly recommended.
  • For E36 models with M50/S50 engines with oil fill caps towards the firewall, the brace does not interfere with the removal of the cap. Use of a funnel is recommended for spill-free oil additions.
  • Fits S50B30 (Euro 3.0L) with no issues. 
  • Does NOT fit 4-cylinders vehicles or Z3s.
  • E36 version weighs 6.9 lbs.
  • Does NOT fit E36s with MK60 ABS conversions (usually found on track/racecars)
  • The E36 version may fit with an LS engine transplant (as verified by one of our customers).  This is NOT a guarantee of fitment.  No returns accepted without restocking fee.
  • The E36 version may fit with an S54 swap engine transplant (but NOT with ABS MK60 in place).  This is NOT a guarantee of fitment. No returns accepted without restocking fee.
  • These are produced in jigs to ensure consistency in manufacturing.  As chassis continue to age, get beat up on pot hole ridden roads, the chassis specs can, and will, change.  If fitment becomes an issue, we cannot produce a bar to fit the unpredictable and uncertain damage from a vehicle's use.

Shipping information

• Because the RACEBRACE one-piece construction, it requires a box which UPS and other common carriers have deemed "Oversize 1" (despite its true weight). Freight charges will be calculated based on this information.